The Beast-Helper: One Mind, Two Monsters—Man and Beast Alike

The Beast-Helper by Frank Belknap Long - The story of a dictator who sought to hold power by allying himself psychically with a powerful beast.

The Dictator sat energetically erect, and delivered his pronouncements in a cold, metallic tone. To the American correspondent he seemed like an automaton-a flesh-and-blood machine that functioned at white heat, and expressed itself in a manner wholly remorseless.

The Dictator sat before his desk in his spacious, walnut-paneled study. His fat, pudgy face was aglow with fanatical rancor. "Trivania will become the most powerful corporate state in Eastern Europe," he said."Our cause is a sanctified one, and we shall march from triumph to triumph. We intend ruthlessly to suppress all-dissenting opinion."

The American correspondent was scribbling hastily. Suddenly he looked up, looked at the Dictator. "May I quote this?" he asked.

"Yes, Mr. Thompson. You may quote me at length."

Mr. Thompson was a thin, pale little man with mild blue eyes. He looked conspicuously harmless, to the Dictator. A smile of scorn curled the Dictator's heavy lips as he contemplated the press man.

But the American correspondent had more iron in him than the Dictator. It was a different kind of iron. Mr. Thompson was a profound skeptic and a scientific humanist. To Mr. Thompson the Dictator was a savage barbarian.

The Dictator continued to profess himself. We shall be merciless to the critics of the state," he said. "Representative government is an absurdity, an historical anachronism. We will relentlessly repress–"

Suddenly he stopped, and his mouth fell open.